Posted on 11/02/2004 1:11:46 PM PST by MarMema
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, allies and backers of President George W. Bush, huddled together at Putin`s dacha, expected to watch the US election.
Berlusconi arrived earlier for an official Russian-Italian summit set for Wednesday with the focus on the struggle against international "terrorism," and Iraq and the Middle East.
Putin received his guest at his private residence at Novo-Ogarevo, in forests 15 kilometres (nine miles) from Moscow, for an informal evening gathering ahead of the official talks.
A source close to the Kremlin said the two men would take a look at US election reports during dinner.
Putin frequently hosts visiting top foreign leaders for informal private dinners at the residence on the eve of formal meetings at the Kremlin.
Putin and Berlusconi, who have warm personal relations, have both publicly backed Bush for re-election.
Berlusconi`s visit is not just a routine protocol exercise for Putin. The Italian has been among Putin`s most consistent and unequivocal supporters in recent years and thus has special status in Kremlin eyes.
The value Berlusconi attaches to his friendship with Putin was to be demonstrated, Italian media reported, in the offering of a gift -- a customized Italian hunting rifle -- by the Italian to the Russian leader.
While most world leaders have steered as clear as possible from siding with either Bush or his chief rival, John Kerry, in Tuesday`s US elections, both Putin and Berlusconi have not been shy about broadcasting their preference for Bush.
Putin last month went as far as to equate a win by Kerry with a victory for international terrorism, saying that "terrorists" carrying out attacks in Iraq were doing so mainly to prevent Bush`s return to the White House.
Shortly after that, Berlusconi too let the world know which candidate he liked:
"We hope and we believe that the next president will be Bush," he told reporters during a walking tour of the Mediterranean island of Ischia, off Naples.
Among prominent world leaders, only Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi has been as outspoken as Putin and Berlusconi in support of Bush.
The Putin-Berlusconi summit talks Wednesday were also expected to include Russia`s relations with the European Union, a body which Berlusconi has suggested Russia be permitted to join.
The two leaders were also expected to sign a joint political declaration touching on key international and regional issues on which Russia and Italy share, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, "identical or very close" views.
The sessions with Putin would also give Berlusconi an opportunity to solicit Russia`s support for his view of reforming the United Nations Security Council.
Italy opposes talk of limiting enlargement of the Council only to Germany and Japan, proposing instead a plan that would create an "outer circle" of "semi-permanent" Security Council members to include Italy.
Russia has been non-committal, saying only it favours solutions that bring the widest possible consensus to the Security Council.
FYI ping. Hope they have some good Georgian wine awaiting their celebration!
I wasn't aware Putin was a real friend of Bush.
I like how they put quote marks "" around the use of "terrorism/ist". ;-)
Perhaps I should amend the 1st part likewise - "friend" of Bush?
Add Kozumi (Japan) and Howard of Australia to the Bush fan club.
I wonder if they're as nervous as we are?
I already posted this!
I don't know about anyone else, but I sure like the fact that the President of Russia (the only country that has enough nukes to totally wipe this continent out) likes our guy. That's a good thing. I really don't even care why he likes him. Doesn't matter. It's just good to say "Yeah, that's Russia...they're sorta nice to us."
Where is it? Link?
You should have pinged me. I didn't find it searching...sorry, Des.
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